How to Paint Over Wallpaper

Wallpaper can cause a long and timely process once you’ve decided to strip it off the wall, but thankfully you don’t always need to do this if you’re planning to redecorate. Many wallpapers can simply be painted over, saving you tonnes of time in stripping.

To understand if your paper is suitable for paint, it’s important to check its condition and its material as this can determine whether it’s a good idea. And that’s not where our tips and tricks for achieving flawless paint results on your wallpaper end. Let’s dive into our experts’ advice.

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When painting over wallpaper, prepare the wall by securing or removing loose edges, use filler to cover up cracks and imperfections, and then gently clean the surface and mask areas you don’t want painted. Then, prime the existing paper before applying two or more coats of paint to get a smooth, long-lasting finish.
You should only paint over wallpaper if it’s in good condition. You can use an oil or shellac-based primer to avoid loosening the wallpaper adhesive and apply multiple coats if you're covering patterns or textures.

Can you paint over wallpaper?

Yes, painting over wallpaper is a cost-friendly choice in terms of time and money. For most wallpapers, it’s a viable option as long as the paper is in good condition and prepared correctly. However, you’ll need to use a primer beforehand that’s not water-based, and instead, oil or shellac-based for the best results. Why? Putting too much moisture on your wallpaper can activate its adhesive and cause it to pull away from the wall, leaving you with unevenness and bubbling.

Can you paint over patterned wallpaper?

You can paint over patterned wallpaper, but there’s a chance you may see the pattern underneath, especially if you’re using a lighter shade of paint over a darker pattern. In this case, it’s a good idea to apply a thicker primer that will smooth out the pattern before applying a few coats of your main paint until the pattern is completely covered.

If you’re thinking of painting over textured wallpaper, we’d recommend removing it instead. If that’s not possible, sand it down to flatten the texture or again, use multiple coats of primer. If you’d like to keep the texture and just change the colour, use a matt paint for the best results.

How to prepare wallpaper for painting

There are a few steps that you’ll need to take before painting over your wallpaper to ensure the final results looks even and unblemished.

Use a wallpaper adhesive to stick down any areas that are peeling, or remove them with a pocket knife. To prevent any more peeling, apply a thin layer of caulk along any seems or edges, such as in the corners and at the top and bottom of the wall.

Use filler to ensure your walls are as smooth as possible. If there are any nail holes, cracks, or other imperfections, fill them in and sand them down. You may also want to apply filler to the seams of the wallpaper to smooth them out, so they won’t show through the paint.

It’s important to not use too much water at this stage as you don’t want to soak the paper and weaken the adhesive underneath. As a workaround, use a damp sponge to apply soap to the wall, and a wrung-out cold, clean rag to clean the soap from the wall. You’ll then need to leave it to completely dry.

Lastly, use decorator’s tape to cover plug sockets, light switches, skirting boards, and any other areas that you don’t want to get paint on. You should also move any furniture or belongings from the area you’re about to paint in.

How to paint over wallpaper

Once you’ve prepped your wallpapered wall, the painting process is quick and simple.

Prime the wall with a thick primer using a brush at the edges and a roller for larger areas. You’ll want to use an oil or shellac-based primer as it won’t affect the integrity of the wallpaper adhesive. It’s also thicker so you’re more likely to cover any inconsistencies in the wall. Once applied, leave it to completely dry.

Stir your paint well, and then apply it as you would a standard wall. As with the primer, use a paintbrush to tackle areas around fittings and fixtures, and switch to a roller for larger areas when painting. Wait for the first coat to dry and apply a second. If you’re painting over patterned wallpaper, you may need a third coat to make sure the pattern is no longer visible.

If you don’t have the time or resources to remove wallpaper from your walls but you’d like to redecorate, painting over the wallpaper is an easy option. Just make sure to clean and prep the wall and prime it well to achieve a smooth and even finish. Struggling to choose a paint shade to match your home? Try out our Paint Visualiser to see how different colours will look in your space.

FAQs

You can wallpaper over painted wallpaper as long as you prepare the wall properly. You’ll need to consider the colour of the new wallpaper and whether the paint will show through it. A thick coat of primer should fix this issue and will help the wallpaper better adhere to the wall.

To remove painted wallpaper, use a wallpaper scoring tool so that you can get underneath the paper to pull it away from the wall. You can then either use a wallpaper steamer or chemical stripper to loosen the adhesive, before scraping away the loosened paper from the wall.

As long as you use a non-water-based primer, you can use any kind of wall paint over wallpaper. Eggshell or emulsion paint are recommended as they’re durable and effective at hiding small imperfections.

To paint over vinyl wallpaper, you’ll need to use an oil-based primer. This will allow the paint to properly adhere to the wallpaper so you get a smooth finish.